Halachic Highlights

Question: Should the last names of the chasan, kallah, and witnesses be written on the kesubah?

 Short Answer: Although Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l, and Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l all thought it preferable to include the last names on the kesubah, the prevalent custom is not to include last names.

Question: May a chupah take place in the sanctuary of a shul?

Short Answer: While many Acharonim forbid holding a chupah in the sanctuary of a shul, the minhag today is to rely on Rav Moshe Feinstein’s ruling permitting such a chupah. 

Question: Should the one who makes the Birkas Eirusin under the chupah drink from the cup, or should he just give it directly to the chasan and kallah to drink?

Short Answer: Many reasons are given to support our minhag that only the chasan and kallah drink from the cup. However, some were makpid that the reciter of the Birkas Eirusin also drinks from the cup.

Question: Should the chupah take place outside and under the stars?

Short Answer: Ideally, yes, the chupah should take place outside and under the stars, as this was minhag Ashkenaz. However, various Acharonim, as well as Sefardim, are not makpid to observe this custom.

Question: May an elderly rabbi who is confined to a wheelchair (and thus cannot stand up) serve as an eid kiddushin – a witness to the marriage ceremony?

Question: Should ashes be placed on the forehead of the chasan at the chupah?

 Short Answer: Yes, but some replace this remembrance to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash with the breaking of a glass under the chupah. There is a dispute when the ashes should be placed on the chasan’s head, and for how long they should remain there.